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Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God
Bestselling author and award-winning singer Rebecca St. James brings together a group of inspirational true stories about young women who gave their all for Jesus.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2005
32 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca St. James
55 books128 followersRebecca St. James, an Australian-born Christian recording artist, is both a Grammy Award winner and a multiple Dove Award recipient. She is also the bestselling author of Wait for Me, SHE Teen, and What is He Thinking. In addition, St. James has appeared in the film Sarah's Choice and lent her voice to VeggieTales' An Easter Story. www.rsjames.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 22, 2011
If you aren’t familiar with the Jesus Freaks books by DCTalk, you need to get acquainted. :D They are basically a modern version of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, stories of men and women who gave everything for God. Well, Sister Freaks is devoted to stories solely about women. It’s really neat!
Of the 60 stories I read, I’m going to highlight 5% (that means 3) of them. Manche Masemola grew up in what is now S. Africa in the early 1910s-1920s. She heard the gospel somewhere around the age 16 and became a Christian the same night she heard it. Because the evangelist was affiliated with the Anglican church, she had to attend class to study the Bible and prepare for baptism. Her parents believed the gods would unleash their wrath on the family because of Manche’s choice, so they beat her in hopes of keeping her from attending classes. Manche was determined though; she continued to go to classes, even though she was never able to complete them. She was beaten and forced to drink a potion to “rid her of the evil spirits”; no one knows which killed Manche. The awesomeness of the whole story? Forty years later, Manche’s mother “accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptizes, in part because of the witness of her daughter.” What an incredible testimony Manche was! Hmm… Manche sounds like a great name for an adopted daughter from Africa. :D
Purnima left her home at the age of 13. Why? She had converted to Christianity in the Buddhist country of Bhutan, and her choices were to 1) denounce her faith or 2) leave the country. After many ups and downs of being on the run to escape the country, including imprisonment, Purnima lives with her sister Maya and brother-in-law Sival, desiring to endure persecution alongside believing relatives. She also hopes to, one day, share the gospel with her mother.
Coming from a poor rural Chinese village engulfed in hopelessness, Li Pasang chooses a different way of life. As she battles cancer in deplorable conditions, her attitude is one of gratitude. How so? She says, “I am glad Jesus loved me enough to allow the tumor so that I could hear about Him through a doctor.” As a result of her testimony, 30 families in her village gave their hearts to Jesus and are equally thankful for Pasang’s tumor. Yet another instance of how good God really is.
These are short summaries of incredible stories. Each story is about 2 1/2 pages long and can be used in daily devotionals. Testimonies such as these show me how great is the God I serve and how He really could choose to do something like this through me. If you choose to read this book, be sure to have a box of tissues in close proximity.
Of the 60 stories I read, I’m going to highlight 5% (that means 3) of them. Manche Masemola grew up in what is now S. Africa in the early 1910s-1920s. She heard the gospel somewhere around the age 16 and became a Christian the same night she heard it. Because the evangelist was affiliated with the Anglican church, she had to attend class to study the Bible and prepare for baptism. Her parents believed the gods would unleash their wrath on the family because of Manche’s choice, so they beat her in hopes of keeping her from attending classes. Manche was determined though; she continued to go to classes, even though she was never able to complete them. She was beaten and forced to drink a potion to “rid her of the evil spirits”; no one knows which killed Manche. The awesomeness of the whole story? Forty years later, Manche’s mother “accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptizes, in part because of the witness of her daughter.” What an incredible testimony Manche was! Hmm… Manche sounds like a great name for an adopted daughter from Africa. :D
Purnima left her home at the age of 13. Why? She had converted to Christianity in the Buddhist country of Bhutan, and her choices were to 1) denounce her faith or 2) leave the country. After many ups and downs of being on the run to escape the country, including imprisonment, Purnima lives with her sister Maya and brother-in-law Sival, desiring to endure persecution alongside believing relatives. She also hopes to, one day, share the gospel with her mother.
Coming from a poor rural Chinese village engulfed in hopelessness, Li Pasang chooses a different way of life. As she battles cancer in deplorable conditions, her attitude is one of gratitude. How so? She says, “I am glad Jesus loved me enough to allow the tumor so that I could hear about Him through a doctor.” As a result of her testimony, 30 families in her village gave their hearts to Jesus and are equally thankful for Pasang’s tumor. Yet another instance of how good God really is.
These are short summaries of incredible stories. Each story is about 2 1/2 pages long and can be used in daily devotionals. Testimonies such as these show me how great is the God I serve and how He really could choose to do something like this through me. If you choose to read this book, be sure to have a box of tissues in close proximity.
May 9, 2020
At first this book was interesting because it talked about famous women in history. However, after awhile it became repetitive with similar stories of random women going on mission trips and girls finding Jesus. This book needed to be about 100 pages shorter than it was.
October 13, 2011
This book was amazing! I read a chapter every morning with a cup of coffee. This book doesn't disappoint!
August 9, 2009
Loved this one, even more than Jesus Freaks!! The book profiles women who live for Christ. Unlike Jesus Freaks, Sister Freaks profiles women who have not been killed for their faith. I found the people easier to relate to, and very encouraged to read how people are ministering where they are.
The book is set to read as a devotional, but I just read it through when able.
I think this book would be especially great for high school or college women - people who are actively seeking to hear their call. I was encouraged through the reading of this book, and got the itch to go and serve.
The book is set to read as a devotional, but I just read it through when able.
I think this book would be especially great for high school or college women - people who are actively seeking to hear their call. I was encouraged through the reading of this book, and got the itch to go and serve.
January 15, 2018
I read this book the summer I was a camp counselor and I flew through it pretty quickly. I loved that they were short stories, so I could read one story when I only had 5 minutes of down time. It was super encouraging to my faith and I felt truly connected to a lot of these women. The reason this is 3/5 stars and not higher rated for me is simply because of the nature of the book. Because it is written as short stories about many women, there wasn't really a plot or anything, so that's the only reason it's not higher rated.
September 20, 2021
Can't recommend this enough. Short, inspiring stories of women who refused to deny their Lord Jesus.
March 21, 2025
Amazing
I loved the true stories in this book, stories of faith, blessings, and young women who followed Christ. I plan to purchase the book for my granddaughters.
I loved the true stories in this book, stories of faith, blessings, and young women who followed Christ. I plan to purchase the book for my granddaughters.
August 30, 2011
Very few books make me really wish for a half-star system, but this is firmly a 3.5 star book for me. (I rounded up because it was a higher rather than lower 3.5.)
Because I'm an old cad, I found myself a little frustrated with this book because it's such a pick-me-up in some ways. Not that the stories are all fluffy and cheerful--it's a bit horrifying what some of these women have been through for their faith, especially when you realize it's still happening in the "enlightened" modern age--but that they have such faith I, as a doubter, feel slightly uncomfortable in their company.
Yet, as I read on, I appreciated that the writers began to showcase some women and girls who doubted, who looked at the life God was asking of them and said, "Are You nuts?" But God is a patient deity, and this collection of stories stopped being a Chicken Soup leftover and started being a challenge to me to listen to what God wants out of my own life, I mean really listen. And the list of five questions at the end of each section (this was designed to be read in week-long chunks, a designation I obviously paid close attention to having just finished it after two years) are really useful in that way of approaching this book. If you take the time to sit down and honestly answer the questions, they become almost more important than the stories as a way to examine how you see the idea of living a life for God. And each questionnaire ends with "what verse was most important to you this week? Why?" I really appreciated that Scriptural grounding, that attempt to make the Bible a living part of your life rather than just a text to be read.
I had myself all psyched up to give this to a friend and be done with it, but I think I may end up hanging on to it. There are stories here that are worth remembering, even on the days when I feel much less like a freak that I'm perhaps comfortable with.
[an extended review to be eventually posted at spiritualimplications.wordpress.com]
[Edit Note: Extended review now posted at http://spiritualimplications.wordpres...!]
Because I'm an old cad, I found myself a little frustrated with this book because it's such a pick-me-up in some ways. Not that the stories are all fluffy and cheerful--it's a bit horrifying what some of these women have been through for their faith, especially when you realize it's still happening in the "enlightened" modern age--but that they have such faith I, as a doubter, feel slightly uncomfortable in their company.
Yet, as I read on, I appreciated that the writers began to showcase some women and girls who doubted, who looked at the life God was asking of them and said, "Are You nuts?" But God is a patient deity, and this collection of stories stopped being a Chicken Soup leftover and started being a challenge to me to listen to what God wants out of my own life, I mean really listen. And the list of five questions at the end of each section (this was designed to be read in week-long chunks, a designation I obviously paid close attention to having just finished it after two years) are really useful in that way of approaching this book. If you take the time to sit down and honestly answer the questions, they become almost more important than the stories as a way to examine how you see the idea of living a life for God. And each questionnaire ends with "what verse was most important to you this week? Why?" I really appreciated that Scriptural grounding, that attempt to make the Bible a living part of your life rather than just a text to be read.
I had myself all psyched up to give this to a friend and be done with it, but I think I may end up hanging on to it. There are stories here that are worth remembering, even on the days when I feel much less like a freak that I'm perhaps comfortable with.
[an extended review to be eventually posted at spiritualimplications.wordpress.com]
[Edit Note: Extended review now posted at http://spiritualimplications.wordpres...!]
October 16, 2013
Topic 9, Non-Fiction, for the ages of 8 and up.
St.James. Rebecca, (2005)Sister Freaks. Alive Communications, Faith Words, New York.
This book would be a good read for the 8-older range of young women.
This is an inspirational book for women all over the world. It shares stories of women who have laid down their lives to make a difference in the world. Amazing women such as Joan of Arc, Joy Churchill and other young people of the world, even the so called ordinary women of today like you and I.
This book shares how these women have been tested and in some cases tried for their faith. It builds character and strengthens the hearts of those under persecution. These young women have demonstrated their faith in what they believe in by being challenged in their lives and they resulted in changing lives of others around them.
It talks about women who have gone overseas to do missionary work against all odds and how they have succeeded by following their dreams and passions.
This book is an amazing book for young ones to read for encouragement and strength to stand up for what they believe in.
It is a book to build faith in every young lady, to change the world or their environment that they live in, even if they are being challenged in their lives at present.
I have chosen this book mainly because so often girls are still not encouraged to think about changing the world around them. Often in churches and in some parts of society women are still to be submissive to men. I believe that every woman has the opportunity to change this, to come out of the covers and be who they can be if given the encouragement. I am not trying to promote women liberation but I am trying to encourage young ladies to realise that they too can do great things like Mother Teresa, Corrie Ten Boom, Joan of Arc etc and they can help other women achieve goals they would never had thought of. That all things are possible.
St.James. Rebecca, (2005)Sister Freaks. Alive Communications, Faith Words, New York.
This book would be a good read for the 8-older range of young women.
This is an inspirational book for women all over the world. It shares stories of women who have laid down their lives to make a difference in the world. Amazing women such as Joan of Arc, Joy Churchill and other young people of the world, even the so called ordinary women of today like you and I.
This book shares how these women have been tested and in some cases tried for their faith. It builds character and strengthens the hearts of those under persecution. These young women have demonstrated their faith in what they believe in by being challenged in their lives and they resulted in changing lives of others around them.
It talks about women who have gone overseas to do missionary work against all odds and how they have succeeded by following their dreams and passions.
This book is an amazing book for young ones to read for encouragement and strength to stand up for what they believe in.
It is a book to build faith in every young lady, to change the world or their environment that they live in, even if they are being challenged in their lives at present.
I have chosen this book mainly because so often girls are still not encouraged to think about changing the world around them. Often in churches and in some parts of society women are still to be submissive to men. I believe that every woman has the opportunity to change this, to come out of the covers and be who they can be if given the encouragement. I am not trying to promote women liberation but I am trying to encourage young ladies to realise that they too can do great things like Mother Teresa, Corrie Ten Boom, Joan of Arc etc and they can help other women achieve goals they would never had thought of. That all things are possible.
June 20, 2017
I have such mixed feelings about this book and I'm not completely sure why. There are stories of incredible women like Joan of Arc as well as women from our time who have powerful testimonies. I think maybe what bothers me about the book is the impression it gives (probably unintentionally) of, "If your life isn't radical like this you're not doing enough." And that's simply not true. It feels like the book glorifies the women and their choices to obey the Lord more than it glorifies the work the Lord used them to do. I could be the only one who gets that impression from it, but it just soiled the experience for me. I read it as a young girl and again in college, and I still just can't have a good experience with it. I did like the devotional questions at the end of each section, as a time of reflection.
March 12, 2014
stumbled upon this book on Amazon & so grateful I bought it :) i LOVE Rebecca St James & loved this book. It's set up to be read in weeks (week 1/week 2 etc) but I read it all at once.
I loved reading about people or in this case, women, who do things for/stand up for what they believe in. I think that's a beautiful trait for anyone to have.
I also recommend the Jesus Freaks books by DC Talk ( similar types of stories)
I loved reading about people or in this case, women, who do things for/stand up for what they believe in. I think that's a beautiful trait for anyone to have.
I also recommend the Jesus Freaks books by DC Talk ( similar types of stories)
August 25, 2012
Inspirational stories of women sold out for Jesus. Here is one of my fave quotes from book:
"The world tells us that our performance, plus what others think about us, equals who we are. But that's not true. We are who God says we are. He establishes our identity, and out of that will flow our performance and our relationships, not the other way around."
"The world tells us that our performance, plus what others think about us, equals who we are. But that's not true. We are who God says we are. He establishes our identity, and out of that will flow our performance and our relationships, not the other way around."
December 31, 2007
This book is about several girls who gave up their lives for Christ and how they stayed strong and stood their ground when their own family mocked and persecuted them.
I would really recomend this book.
I would really recomend this book.
July 21, 2010
Very inspirational. I enjoyed the mix of stories about both modern day and historical saints. A good one to get the creative juices flowing re. how YOU are going to represent Jesus and keep His kingdom expanding :)
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January 5, 2014This book was okay, but written to a much younger audience -- high schoolers maybe. It was...okay, but even when I was a teenager I was drinking from a much deeper well of real saints and martyrs from history.
November 5, 2015
A very inspiring read which is meant to partly be devotional. It is about women who have and do live for Christ, their struggles and their successes. While I enjoyed this immensely, it is heavy and I'd imagine would be quite a chore if you planned to read it straight through.
September 4, 2007
i'm reading this book right now. it is a book of stories of women who were either Christians or became Christians. and what they have done and went through.
January 21, 2008
really really really love this book. wonderful stories in it.
January 8, 2011
An inspiring book that made you cringe and wonder what you could do to help spread the Gospel at the same time.
April 4, 2008
It was about amazing Christian woman who did thee most outrageous things to spread God's word.
April 20, 2009
I loved this book. It has some GREAT stories.
September 6, 2009
Must read, great stories of brave courageous women!!
January 1, 2010
Some of the stories seemed repetative and they were too short for my normal tastes... the ones I really enjoyed I wanted to have more of..
August 21, 2010
I really enjoyed this collection of inspirational stories of courage, obedience, faith and love of God.
August 7, 2011
The stories are very inspiring, they make you appreciate how free you are to believe what you want to.
September 29, 2011
Such beautiful stories!!!
April 6, 2012
very interesting book
June 21, 2012
Amazing! Loved all the stories of women who gave everything for Christ, even if it meant losing their lives. I read this book as a teenager and love it just as much now as I did then.
August 22, 2012
Amazing, inspirational stories about brave women of all ages!
November 5, 2012
It was an inspiring book based on women who have given it their all for the cause of Christ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews